The Vision
The local news ecosystem in the United States is fracturing and reordering in unprecedented ways. In the Chicago area-- perhaps the richest and most vibrant local news ecosystem in the country-- we are experiencing, and even driving, these changes firsthand.
The Northwestern Medill Media Innovation and Leadership Academy (MILA) equips current and future Chicago-area local news leaders with the knowledge and problem-solving frameworks required to master these dynamics, and thus transform their organizations to thrive.
The Experience
Each week-long MILA program includes a small cohort of decision-making news professionals from a wide variety of news organizations, from startups to established brands that offer original, Chicago-focused journalism. From those currently in executive leadership roles to rising professionals poised to make big career leaps in editorial, marketing or sales roles, the range included in each MILA class allows for well-rounded collaboration.
Northwestern faculty and staff provide frameworks proven to help new leaders transform their organizations. Class members work through timely case studies using proven methods, such as the business model canvas, to tackle contemporary problems. By collaborating on teams with other class members, you will develop groundbreaking solutions to implement in your own news organization. You will emerge from the week with a deeper understanding of research and insights, content strategy, business strategy and new product development processes that will enable you to deliver results in any scenario. You will also develop a network of connections throughout Chicago that will prove invaluable to all organizations and careers.
The program, like all LNA programs, is cost-free to all participants and organizations, through a generous investment by the McCormick Foundation.
Apply Here!
Do you want to be a part of our next MILA Class? We accept applications on a rolling basis.
Apply Here
[MILA] really helped me think more creatively about our content strategy. We had these case studies that set us up by highlighting what our fictional audience was lacking, and our pitches we came up with were for products that tried to meet those needs. It really got me thinking about how we can develop content at Windy City Times that’s more centered on the queer community’s needs.And it also helped me learn to better tell our story in a way when pitching Windy City Times to funders or even potential readers.
Jake Wittich, Windy City Times managing editor
Just do it! And if you do it, don’t be afraid of failure. It’s a really safe environment to make mistakes and learn from them.
Xiomara Rodriguez, La Voz del Paseo Boricua editor-in-chief
